Service 87 is a relatively short inter-town route, but serves many heavy-demand sectors and is an important route. It connects Sengkang, Hougang Ctrl, Hougang Ave 3, Kaki Bukit and Bedok, and experiences high demand during most of the day by residents and office workers.

From Ubi and Kaki Bukit Industrial Estates, Service 87 connects to Bedok, Hougang Central and Sengkang, providing direct bus service to these areas. From Bedok Interchange, the route also connects Kaki Bukit residents to their homes.

As part of the DTL3 Bus Service Enhancements, Service 87 calls at a new bus stop along Bedok North Road, at Bedok North MRT Station from 21 Oct 2017.